Harris fundraiser NYC/ Kamala Harris fundraising/ Harris economic agenda/ Harris 2024 campaign funds/ Newslooks/ NEW YORK/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Vice President Kamala Harris raised $27 million at a New York fundraiser, marking her largest haul since leading the Democratic ticket. She also teased a major economic speech for this week, where she will outline policies addressing issues like housing costs and inflation.
Harris’ $27M Fundraiser Quick Looks:
- Harris raises $27 million at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City
- This is her biggest fundraising haul since leading the Democratic ticket
- Harris plans to unveil an economic vision, addressing homeownership costs and grocery prices
- She continues to push for middle-class tax cuts and taxes on the wealthy
- Harris criticizes Trump’s economic policies, including tariffs and wages
- Latest polls show Harris and Trump evenly matched on economic issues
Harris Raises $27M at NYC fundraiser, Prepares Major Economic Speech
Deep Look:
In a major boost to her campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris raised $27 million at a New York City fundraiser on Sunday, marking her largest single haul since taking over the Democratic ticket from President Joe Biden. According to a Harris campaign aide, this fundraising achievement will help Harris bolster her campaign against former President Donald Trump, especially in the face of heavy advertising by outside groups supporting Trump. The Harris campaign has amassed far more funds than Trump, but the competition for visibility and voter engagement remains fierce.
The high-profile event took place at Cipriani Wall Street, a lavish venue known for its grandeur and its packed ballroom. The fundraising event drew a significant crowd, with many attendees standing shoulder to shoulder. Harris took this opportunity to poke fun at Trump for refusing to debate her again. “My opponent seems to be looking for an excuse,” she said, adding that she believes a final debate is owed to the American people before Election Day.
After the event, Harris reiterated her desire for a rematch with Trump while speaking to reporters upon her return to Washington. “We have more to discuss,” she said.
Trump, however, has made it clear that he does not plan to participate in another debate, claiming that “it’s just too late.” His reasoning is that in-person voting has already begun in several states, including Minnesota, South Dakota, and Virginia, with more states set to start soon. Trump’s rejection of further debates marks a continuation of his broader campaign strategy, emphasizing early voting periods rather than final face-to-face engagements with his opponent.
Economic Speech Planned
In addition to her fundraising success, Harris announced plans to deliver a significant speech this Wednesday, where she will lay out her economic vision for the nation. She emphasized that her economic platform would focus on addressing the challenges that Americans are facing, including rising homeownership costs and persistently high grocery bills.
“I grew up a middle-class kid, and I will never forget where I came from,” Harris told the crowd at the fundraiser, suggesting that her policies would aim to uplift the middle class while addressing the needs of everyday Americans.
By providing more detail on her economic agenda, Harris hopes to reassure voters about her priorities. Since taking over the Democratic ticket, she has faced criticism from Trump, who claims she has been slow to release her own economic policies. Wednesday’s speech will likely be an opportunity for Harris to define her economic vision more clearly and distance herself from the Biden administration’s track record, which has seen inflation rise and costs soar.
Economic Proposals and Trump’s Critique
As part of her economic vision, Harris has endorsed middle-class tax cuts and higher taxes for the wealthy and corporations. One of her notable stances is her support for eliminating taxes on tipped wages, a policy initially proposed by Trump. However, Harris plans to limit this tax break to low- and middle-income earners, creating a distinction between her proposal and Trump’s.
At the same time, Harris has voiced strong opposition to some of Trump’s economic policies, particularly his plan to impose tariffs on most imported goods. Harris argues that Trump’s tariff plan would only exacerbate rising costs for American consumers, making everyday goods even more expensive. These opposing viewpoints on economic policy will likely be key points of contrast as the campaign progresses.
Polls Show Tight Competition on Economic Issues
Polling suggests that neither candidate holds a clear lead when it comes to handling the economy, an issue that remains critical for most voters. The latest survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that about 4 in 10 registered voters believe Trump would manage the economy better, while a similar number say the same about Harris. The poll also indicates that about 1 in 10 voters have no faith in either candidate when it comes to economic leadership.
According to the poll, the economy is a top issue for roughly 80% of voters, overshadowing other major concerns such as healthcare and crime. Harris, recognizing the importance of this issue, has made a concerted effort to focus her messaging on how her economic policies would address the day-to-day concerns of voters, especially around inflation and housing costs.
Shifting from Liberal Policies
As Harris continues to navigate the 2024 campaign, she has noticeably shifted away from some of the more liberal policies she supported during her 2020 presidential run. These included proposals such as banning fracking, establishing a single-payer healthcare system, and decriminalizing illegal border crossings. By moderating her platform, Harris may be seeking to appeal to a broader base of voters, particularly as she distances herself from the more progressive positions that once defined her campaign.
With her largest fundraising haul yet and an upcoming speech to flesh out her economic vision, Harris is working to solidify her position as the Democratic candidate, vying for voter confidence on critical issues like the economy.
